Redskins Depth chart, offense: Why no RB1 camp battle?

Ben Standig

08/15/2016

Another round of Week 1 roster projections includes running back talk beyond the backup competition.

As of early Monday morning, the Washington Redskins are done in Richmond. Now training camp heads to Ashburn and then the show heads to FedEx Field for Friday's second preseason opener against the New York Jets. The depth chart, even the unofficial version head coach Jay Gruden asks us to ignore until the third preseason game, will look different by next week, if not minutes after matching up with the Falcons. Here's my sense of the Week 1 53-man roster right now.

* "Rookie Nate Sudfeld must truly standout in his preseason opportunities to stick on the Week 1 roster considering the position needs elsewhere" is something I wrote last week. Fine, the sixth round pick wasn't a rock star in his first game, but Sudfeld showed of his power arm and competitiveness. In terms of 2016, the Redskins might ideally desire the practice squad stashing. Between Sudfeld's performance, that he was drafted by general manager Scot McCloughan and Cousins' contact uncertainty, stashing might simply become too risky. Meanwhile, there is nothing McCoy can do to generate a QB competition so let's not go there no matter what happens against the other team's backups.

To this point, the main RB talks during training camp have been about: 1) Can Jones avoid fumbles and injuries and 2) Who can step in if he can't. I've been pushing for a veteran addition dating back to free agency and largely because of these two topics. Yet if we're talking iron sharpens iron, why didn't Washington make such a move sooner just to put some heat on Jones. The former third-round pick has the size, speed and hands combo to be an every-down back and I believe general manager Scot McCloughan when he says Jones will be the team' breakout star. I also get not wanting to add a vet before Week 2 to avoid a guaranteed contract. Yet it's not like Jones was some force during his rookie season. The ground game was a general weakness against Atlanta and Jones's time in particular was a mixed bag. I'm in on the ex-Gator and think he's a potential fantasy football standout if the OL allows. In terms of pushing him but also shoring up a possible weakness, there is a legitimate question as to why Washington didn't bring in more starting competition. As for the Marshall/Kelley/Brown battle for possibly one remaining roster slot, stay tuned.

Crowder returned to practice after sitting out the game, while Doctson remains shelved and probably for another week or two or...The speedy Ross has looked more like a complete receiver in camp and Grant is catching passes. Could the 6-foot-3 Maurice Harris crack this group? Possibly, especially if Doctson's injury lingers into the season and the coaches want a true red-zone target. For now, he remains a long shot.

* We'll hold off thinking about Derek Carrier until he returns from his knee injury. The odd man out here is Logan Paulsen. It's a numbers thing, as in the overall 53-man roster. Washington could keep four tight ends and ideally might want that many. But with the impressive trio ahead of him and the needs elsewhere, four might be a luxury.

* As long as the Redskins feel comfortable with Long at center if needed, then Josh LeRibeus and his snapping woes are in trouble. Lauvao probably moves back into the starting lineup for Week 1, especially after watching Long get pushed into the backfield on Jones's first carry last week, but let's see how he holds up after many months sidelined before making a call.